A record number 47 students from the Avon Maitland District School Board were registered as apprentices through the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program this past school year.
Pathways Coordinator and OYAP Recruiter Jody Froud says, over the years, the Board has been introducing students to the skilled trades earlier and giving them options and the opportunity to take a path that they may not have considered. In grades eleven and twelve the students are able to participate in co-op programs that give them some exposure to the skilled trades.
“So they get into something that they like and they enjoy and they see the opportunity ahead of them. They're able to start their apprenticeship. And for our businesses we know that there's a huge shortage of people in the trades now and we know the outlook is it's even going to be more people that they're looking for," explained Froud.
Froud adds, for students, they can see the bigger picture and recognize that the apprenticeship will allow them to get working, to make some money and acquire some skills. Froud also points out part of the conversation with the students is that it's not just being a trades person. There are a number of other things people can do within the skilled trades.
Froud also points out the Avon Maitland Board has been offering the OYAP program for several years and the students are still required to complete their regular program.
“So the students would be taking their math, their English all of their regular courses that would require them to get their thirty credits to graduate. So it is still that traditional OYAP, fully enrolled in school, something we've been doing for years that all of our students are taking advantage of right now, those forty-seven," Froud added.
Not only is the 47 students a record for the Board, but Froud notes the number of females who registered as apprentices also increased. Eleven female students have gained an apprenticeship and she says all but one of those will be working in one of the fourteen under-represented trades for women historically. Those would be automotive service technician, truck and coach technician and plumbers.
Froud also adds, none of this would be possible without the interest from Huron County employers. More information about pathways programming offered by the Avon Maitland District School Board can be found at amdsb.ca/pathways.
